Consumable Cartridge For An Aerosol Generation Device

ABSTRACT

A consumable cartridge for an aerosol generation device contains an aerosol forming material such as tobacco that can release vapour upon receiving heat from a heater. The cartridge includes a casing with a tab that moves between an open position and a closed position, where the open position extends from the casing to allow rapid cooling of the tab so that the user can easily grip the tab and extract the cartridge from the aerosol generation device.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application is a national phase entry under 35 U.S.C. § 371 of International Application No. PCT/EP2018/075826, filed Sep. 24, 2018, published in English, which claims priority to European Application No. 17192997.9 filed Sep. 25, 2017, the disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a consumable cartridge for use with an aerosol generation device.

A number of new generation smoking devices have been introduced that seek to provide an alternative to conventional cigarettes. One such device is described in EP 2772148A2. In this arrangement a smoking device is provided with a mouthpiece, a casing, an electrical heater and a battery. A consumable cartridge can be installed in the device adjacent the heater. The consumable cartridge has a casing which encloses tobacco material. The cartridge also includes perforations and aeration wells. The heater can heat the casing of the cartridge, causing the tobacco contained within to heat without burning, which releases an aerosol. This aerosol or vapour can then be inhaled by a user through the mouthpiece.

After a period of use the consumable cartridge becomes depleted. A user can then remove and replace the consumable cartridge.

It is desirable to safely and easily remove a hot cartridge from a device after the tobacco is depleted.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to an aspect of the invention there is provided a consumable cartridge for an aerosol generation device, the consumable cartridge comprising: a casing; an aerosol forming material provided within the casing adapted to form an aerosol upon receiving heat from the aerosol generation device; and a tab that can be provided in a position which extends from the casing, wherein the tab can be gripped by a user to remove the consumable cartridge from the aerosol generation device.

In this way, it is possible for a user to grip the tab and easily extract the consumable cartridge from the aerosol generation device. The user may grip the tab between opposing digits of a hand of the user. In one example, the tab may be a thin piece of material that extends away from the casing. The tab preferably allows heat to dissipate more rapidly since it can be positioned away from the hot casing. The provision of the tab therefore improves the ease with which a user can remove a hot casing.

The aerosol generation device can provide heat to the casing, where the casing conductively transfers the heat to the aerosol forming material without direct burning of the material. The aerosol generation device may further comprise a heating chamber with a heater operatively arranged to heat the consumable cartridge without combustion.

Preferably, the tab is configured to move between a first position and a second position. In this way, it is possible for the tab to protrude away from the casing only when a user requires it for extraction. For example, when the aerosol generation device is in operation the tab may be in the first position. In the first position, the tab may be positioned flush with a wall of the casing. When the aerosol generation device is not in operation the tab may move or be moved into a second position that allows a user to easily grab and extract the consumable cartridge from the device. In the second position, the tab may extend away from the wall of the casing, and maintain contact with the casing at an end of the casing. In an advantageous embodiment, the tab is movable in the axial direction of the cartridge.

In another embodiment, the main body has a slot to receive the tab.

In another embodiment, the tab is attached to the lid of the cartridge. The tab can thus be formed from a single part together with the lid. The tab and the lid as a single part facilitates the manufacturing process of the capsule.

Hence, the tab and a top surface of the cartridge can be formed from a single sheet.

The tab may be arranged at an end of the casing. The consumable cartridge may be received in a cavity of the aerosol generation device, where the end of the casing with the tab is exposed.

Preferably, the tab is formed by at least one line of weakening at a surface of the casing. In this way, it is possible for the tab to be arranged along a surface of the casing and to be broken and extended outwards when required for use. For example, the tab may be torn open to provide an extended portion, like a flap, separate from the casing.

Preferably, the tab is hingedly attached to the casing to allow movement between the first position and second position. In this way, it is possible for the tab to pivot away from the first position alongside the casing into the second extraction position after the weakening line has been broken. A material hinge may be provided between the tab and the casing. The tab can thus be formed in a foldable material. The foldable material can be a metallic sheet, such as aluminium.

Preferably, the tab comprises a visual indicator which is indicative of temperature. In this way, it is possible for a user to be able to see if the tab is too hot to grip. The tab may be heated by conduction from the casing. The provision of a colour indicator can allow the user to know whether the tab is safe to grip.

Preferably, the temperature information on the tab is provided using colour. In this way, it is possible for a user to determine the temperature of the tab with ease. For example, a thermochromatic ink may be used to present a warning sign when the tab is too hot, or thermochromic crystals can be used to provide different colours for different temperature bands.

According to another aspect of the invention there is provided an aerosol generation device, comprising: a heater; and the consumable cartridge as defined above.

According to another aspect of the invention there is provided a method of generating aerosol comprsing: inserting a consumable cartridge, or pod, comprising an aerosol forming material into a heating chamber of an aerosol generating device; moving a tab from a first position to a second position to expose an outlet from the consumable cartridge; applying with the device heat to the aerosol forming material in the consumable cartridge; extracting the pod from the device by gripping the tab.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Embodiments of the invention are now described, by way of example, with reference to the drawings, in which:

FIG. 1A is a front view of a cartridge in an embodiment of the invention with a tab in a closed position;

FIG. 1B is a front view of the cartridge with a tab in an open position;

FIG. 2 is a top view of the cartridge depicted in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a detailed top view of the tab depicted in FIG. 2;

FIGS. 4A and 4B are front views of a cartridge in another embodiment of the invention with the tab in the closed and open positions respectively; and

FIG. 5 is a schematic cross sectional view of an exemplary electronic cigarette configured to receive a cartridge according to invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIGS. 1A, 1B and 2 show a cartridge 10 in a first embodiment of the invention. The cartridge 10 has a generally cylindrical shape with a circular cross-section and a flat top. However, other shapes are also possible, like for instance a square or cuboidal shape. The cartridge 10 has a casing 12 which accommodates an aerosol forming material 14, such as tobacco, within. A number of other products and ingredients such as flavorings or tobacco derivatives may be provided within the casing 12, as will be appreciated by a person skilled in the art.

The cartridges 10 are configured to be received in a cartridge seating 56 of an electronic cigarette 50, as illustrated in FIG. 5. The electronic cigarette 50 comprises a mouthpiece portion 52 and a main body portion 54. The main body portion 52 comprises a cartridge seating 56, a power supply unit 58 and a control circuitry 60. The mouthpiece portion comprises a mouthpiece 53 and a vapour flow channel 55. The mouthpiece portion 52 may further comprise a piercing element 80. The piercing element 80 is configured to open the cartridge 10 by piercing a vent hole 12 in the top portion 14 of the cartridge 10, such that the vapour can exit the cartridge 10 through the vent hole 12 in the top portion 14.

In an embodiment, the cartridge 10 includes holes 16, 18 in a top surface 20 that are used as an inlet or outlet for outside air. When holes 16, 18 are provided the piercing element 80 can be omitted in the electronic cigarette 50. In another embodiment, the top surface 20 is sealed whereby it can be pierced when positioned inside the cartridge seating 56 of the electronic cigarette 50. The cartridge 10 also has a bottom surface 22 that is used to conduct heat from a heater in an aerosol generation device to the rest of the cartridge 10. A tab 24 is provided in the top surface 20. The tab 24 has a top end 26, two sides 28 and a bottom end 30. The top end 26 is pulled by a user to break open perforated, or weakened, lines that run along the two sides 28. The bottom end 30 acts as a material hinge around which the remainder of the tab 24 can pivot. The tab 24 can pivot about the bottom end 30 from a flat, closed positon to an open position in which it is substantially perpendicular to the top surface 20. In the open position a user can firmly grip the tab 24 and remove the cartridge 10 from the aerosol generation device. The tab 24 can be attached to the top surface 20 of the cartridge 10. The tab 24 can thus be formed from a single part together with the top surface 20. Having the tab 24 and the top surface 20 as a single part facilitates the manufacturing process of the cartridge 10. The tab 24 is preferably formed in a foldable material. The foldable material can be a metallic film such as aluminium foil. The tab is thus part of the top surface 20 and formed from a single sheet.

In another embodiment, the tab 24 can be movable in the axial direction of the cartridge 20. The cartridge may therefore have a longitudinal or axial slot to receive the tab.

As will be appreciated by a person skilled in the art, tab 24 may be provided in a position on the cartridge 10 that depends on the direction of extraction of the cartridge 10 from the aerosol generation device.

FIG. 3 shows a detailed view of the tab 24. Warning signs 32 are printed on the tab 24 using thermochromatic ink. The warning signs 32 are invisible when the tab 24 is cool enough to touch by hand. The warning signs 32 become visible when the tab 24 is hot and could potentially harm a user. In another arrangement the entire tab may be printed with thermochromatic ink so that the colour of the tab is indicative of its temperature. A number of other thermochromic materials may be provided on the tab 24, for example thermochromic liquid crystals, as will be appreciated by a person skilled in the art.

FIGS. 4A and 4B show a cartridge 110 in a second embodiment of the invention with a tab 124 in the closed and open positions respectively. The cartridge 110 has a casing 112 which accommodates an aerosol forming material 114, such as tobacco, within.

The cartridge 110 includes holes 116, 118 in a top surface 120 that are used as an inlet or outlet for outside air. The cartridge also has a bottom surface 122 that is used to conduct heat from a heater in an aerosol generation device to the rest of the cartridge 110.

In this arrangement the tab 124 in the closed position extends down a side surface 126 of the cartridge 110. The tab 124 is moved into an open position by sliding the tab 124 in a direction that extends from the cartridge 110 prior to the insertion of the cartridge 110 into an aerosol generation device. In providing the tab 124 along the side surface 126 of the cartridge 110, the tab 124 can be made longer and thus be easier for a user to grip onto when extracting the cartridge 110.

Features 128 are located on an outer surface of the tab 124 that increase friction between a user's thumb and the tab 124 such that the tab 124 is easily pushed into the open position. The side surface 126 of the casing 112 also has features that allow the sliding action to function. The side surface 126 has grooves 130 on each side of the tab 124 in its closed position that hold that tab 124 and can act as tracks on which the tab 124 slides between the open and closed positions.

Alternative configurations of a tab for use on a consumable cartridge would readily occur to a person skilled in the art.

The aerosol forming material may include a carrier material, which may include a mixture of propylene glycol (PG) and/or glycerin (G). Preferably, the carrier material has a composition of at least 20 wt %. The aerosol forming material may include ground tobacco particles (e.g. in addition to the carrier material). The aerosol forming material may include other materials, such as a flavouring and water etc. 

1. A consumable cartridge for an aerosol generation device, the consumable cartridge comprising: a casing; an aerosol forming material provided within the casing adapted to form an aerosol upon receiving heat from the aerosol generation device; and a tab arrangeable in a position which extends from the casing, wherein the tab can be gripped by a user to remove the consumable cartridge from the aerosol generation device.
 2. The consumable cartridge of claim 1, wherein the tab is configured to move between a first position and a second position.
 3. The consumable cartridge of claim 1, wherein the tab is formed by at least one line of weakening at a surface of the casing.
 4. The consumable cartridge of claim 2, wherein the tab is hingedly attached to the casing to allow movement between the first position and second position.
 5. The consumable cartridge of claim 1, wherein the tab comprises a visual indicator, wherein the visual indicator is indicative of temperature.
 6. The consumable cartridge of claim 5, wherein information in the visual indicator indicative of temperature is provided using colour.
 7. The consumable cartridge according to claim 1, wherein the tab is formed of a foldable material.
 8. The consumable cartridge according to claim 7, wherein the tab and a top surface of the cartridge are formed from a single sheet.
 9. An aerosol generation device, comprising: a heater; and the consumable cartridge of claim 1, wherein the aerosol forming material can form an form an aerosol upon receiving heat from the heater.
 10. (canceled)
 11. A method of generating aerosol comprising: inserting a consumable cartridge comprising an aerosol forming material into a heating chamber of an aerosol generating device; moving a tab from a first position to a second position to expose an outlet from the consumable cartridge; applying with the device heat to the aerosol forming material in the consumable cartridge; extracting the consumable cartridge from the device by gripping the tab.
 12. The consumable cartridge of claim 1, wherein the tab is formed of a metallic sheet.
 13. The consumable cartridge of claim 12, wherein the metallic sheet is aluminium foil. 